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Pregnancy bowel battle: Tackling constipation

I’ve got to be honest -- it’s a little embarrassing to write about constipation. But here’s the deal: it’s a side effect that more than half of all pregnant women endure. In an informal poll of my friends, almost all admitted to suffering from minor to major constipation during pregnancy. While it may not be the best dinner table topic, it’s something that’s affecting a lot of women at any given time. So let’s get real and discuss some tips and tricks to help survive pregnancy constipation.

Don’t Force It

As any doctor will tell you, don’t try and force it. If you find yourself struggling, you’re only setting yourself up for an even worse side effect of pregnancy -- hemorrhoids. If you’ve tried and it’s not happening, hop up and try again later. When you do feel the urge, don’t hesitate just hit the bathroom right away.

Eat High-Fiber Foods

Try to nosh on whole-grain cereals and breads, brown rice, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables every day. It might take a few days to notice any difference, but it should result in some relief.

Drink Water (and Avoid Soda!)

It’s crucial to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day -- whether or not you’re pregnant. When you’re drinking for two, it’s even more important to get those 64 ounces down. The more water you drink, the easier it is for your body to digest food. Have a glass or two of prune juice for an extra boost, but avoid soda if you can as it can cause dehydration (which only aggravates constipation).

Take a Biotic

There are different kinds of supplements to help your digestive system. From natural laxatives to biotic formulas, talk with your OB about which is best for you. Pure Matters Complete Biotic helps your body establish healthy bacteria that can keep your digestive health on track.

Go for a Walk

Exercise accelerates breathing and gets your heart pumping, which can help kick start your digestive system. Another upside is that you’ll feel energized and healthy! Just remember to get approval from your doctor before doing any exercise program.

For many pregnant women, the first bouts of constipation will arrive in the first trimester. Our bodies begin to rearrange the furniture to make room for the growing baby and unfortunately, that tends to result is some discomfort in the bathroom. The second trimester might bring temporary relief, but by the beginning of the third trimester, when the belly is really starting to expand and add pressure to the rectum, it’s likely the pain and discomfort will return. Stay ahead of the pain and discomfort by following some of the tips above and working with your doctor to ensure your digestive system makes the transition as smoothly as possible.